Elon Musk's SpaceX was chosen to ensure the safety of NASA astronauts after critical failures in Boeing's Starliner spacecraft.
A NASA has made a decisive decision to ensure the safety of NASA astronauts on their upcoming missions. A SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, will be responsible for the return of astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams in February 2025, while Boeing's Starliner spacecraft, which had significant failures, will return empty and autonomously to Earth in early September.
Last Saturday, the NASA chose to trust SpaceX to rescue NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who are currently aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The decision came after an internal analysis of critical failures that occurred on Boeing's Starliner spacecraft during its last mission in June. The Starliner, which was supposed to bring astronauts back to Earth, suffered helium leaks and the failure of five of its 28 thrusters, creating an atmosphere of uncertainty and concern within NASA.
“There was a lot of uncertainty….”
Steve Stitch, director of NASA's Human Commercial Flight Program, explained the decision: “There was a lot of uncertainty with the thrusters, and it was very risky to bring the crew back under these conditions. Therefore, we decided to carry out tests without a crew. " This precautionary stance is a clear attempt to avoid another disaster like the one that occurred with the space shuttle Columbia in 2003, which disintegrated during its re-entry into the atmosphere, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members.
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SpaceX Crew-9 mission postponed
A SpaceX Crew-9 mission, initially scheduled for August 18, was postponed until no earlier than September 24, to accommodate this change of plans. Two astronauts will be sent to the ISS by SpaceX, leaving two extra seats and spacesuits available for Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams, who will return to Earth in February 2025 aboard the Crew Dragon spacecraft.
NASA preferred not to take unnecessary risks
Although Boeing defended the Starliner's safety, NASA preferred not to take unnecessary risks. The Starliner spacecraft, which had an estimated cost of 5 billion dollars, still has six future missions contracted, and the company hopes that the empty and autonomous spacecraft's reentry in September will be successful. Boeing engineers plan to use this reentry to collect valuable data from the return maneuvers, especially from the service module, which is jettisoned before reentry.
This episode is a reminder of the complexity and challenges inherent in missions space. The choice of SpaceX to ensure the safe return of NASA astronauts reflects the growing confidence in Elon Musk's company and the need to prioritize safety at all stages of manned missions. For Boeing, the focus will now be on ensuring the Starliner is ready for its future missions, learning from mistakes and improving technology to protect the lives of future crew members.
What do you think of NASA's decision to trust SpaceX to ensure the safe return of NASA astronauts? Will Boeing be able to overcome these challenges and ensure safety on its future missions? Leave your opinion in the comments!